Weston Charity Awards increases support for small charities

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A group of frontline charities specialising in the fields of Community, Welfare, Youth, and, for the first time, Environment have been announced as winners of the 2023 Weston Charity Awards. Due to the extreme stress the sector is currently facing the Awards has increased support this year and given a record number of 22 awards.

Now in its ninth year, the Weston Charity Awards serve as a beacon of hope and encouragement, amplifying the incredible work carried out by non-profits nationwide. The winning charities will receive strategic planning support from a dedicated team of business experts facilitated by the pro bono charity Pilotlight, along with a core grant of £6,500 from Garfield Weston Foundation.

The Weston Charity Awards nurture leadership talent while amplifying a charity’s potential impact. In an era where the need for charitable services has never been greater, this help for charities is more vital than ever. The Awards are designed to support and develop resilience of the winners, which currently offer direct support to over 74,000 people directly, across the North, Midlands of England, and Wales.

Philippa Charles, Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation said:

Our Trustees are delighted to be able to support a record number of charities this year through the Weston Charity Awards. The Awards underscore the Foundation's passion for nurturing and empowering charities to thrive and support those who need it most.

Among this year’s recipients are the charities Youth Leads UK and Shropshire Mental Health Support.

Saeed Atcha, CEO at Salford based Youth Leads UK said:

Support for youth is crucial. Youth Leads UK is an award-winning youth-led charity supporting underrepresented and underprivileged young people to enrich their skills, reach their potential and influence change through peer-led programmes of volunteering, social action, learning experiences and amplifying youth voice. We're excited to receive an Award to strengthen our charity to aid more young people in the future.         

Clive Ireland Chair at Shropshire Mental Health Support said:

Our charity provides critical mental health support both day and night. The CEO and board of trustees are elated to win a Weston Charity Award. This is such an accolade to have such support.

Ed Mayo, Chief Executive of Pilotlight said:

When you fall, you want someone to catch you. Small charities offer a safety net for so many people who are vulnerable and in need. Yet small charities typically do not have the support and help that they need themselves in order to sustain their work and spread their impact. We are proud to be able to assist 22 inspiring charities through the Weston Charity Awards over the coming year.

A full list of Weston Charity Awards 2023 winners and a short description of their services

England
North East

• Pallion Action Group empowers local people of all ages to access and be fully inclusive of opportunities in the local area. Supporting individuals to overcome barriers they may be experiencing to positively lead the best life they can and live in a safer, greener and cleaner community with aspirations.
• Teesside Ability Support Centre exists to support disabled adults from across the Tees Valley to have meaningful lives. It does this through the provision of day services. It is a highly values-based organisation and puts its users at the centre of everything it does.

North West

• Arts for Recovery in the Community (ARC) is one of the leading arts & mental health charities, based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. It delivers high impact creative programmes which improve people's mental health, build connection, confidence and belonging, and provide opportunities for people to come together around shared creative interests.
• Drop Zone Youth Projects works across the Furness area of Cumbria supporting young people aged 8-24.  Its aim is to raise aspirations and achievements and improve young lives and wellbeing. It strives to help develop a better world in which young people can thrive.
• EMERGE 3Rs has both an environmental and social purpose at its core. It addresses the issues of marginalisation by those facing poverty and disadvantage providing, food, employment and training, and significantly reducing many types of waste, also reducing carbon emissions.  Last year it started an initiative to help more of the BAME community access food that is suitable for their dietary needs, by helping them set up community pantries and buying specific food at wholesale prices.
• Youth Leads UK is an award-winning youth-led charity supporting underrepresented and underprivileged young people to enrich their skills, reach their potential and influence change through peer-led programmes of volunteering, social action, learning experiences and amplifying youth voice.

Yorkshire & the Humber

• Community Works provides several services for the people of Thirsk and North Yorkshire including a Foodbank, Older Peoples Services, Women's work, Meals on Wheels, Carshare Community Transport and a secondhand furniture store.
• Meanwood Valley Urban Farm connects urban dwellers with the great outdoors on their 26-acre site just outside of Leeds city centre. Providing environmental education and awareness to schools, young people and adults with learning disabilities as well as being a visitor attraction open to the public seven days a week.
• Project Buzz (Buzz) provides support for separated families in conflict. Services include Supervised Family Time, Co-Parenting support and a parent led support group. The charity is about to launch a groundbreaking service that offers a holistic approach to providing Family Time.
• Special Needs & Parent Support (Yorkshire) (SNAPS) supports children with additional needs and their families.  The charity offers specialist physiotherapy to help children meet their goals whilst also supporting the whole family to have fun together and make memories that will last a lifetime.
• The Hinge Centre's three main projects are resettlement, community and children, young people and families. Embedded in Bridlington since 2008, it offers tailored, integrated and holistic support for residents to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their potential.

East Midlands

• Family Support Link provides support for families affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use across Northamptonshire, working with both children and adults. It provides information, guidance, advocacy, specialist 1:1 support, group support, whole family support, peer support and a telephone support line.
• Souster Youth Trust (SY) supports social, emotional and spiritual needs for ages 11-19 in Northamptonshire. The charity reaches 2,800 young people through group-based mental health support, lessons and assemblies in schools. SY also trains parents, caregivers and youth leaders with robust research.

West Midlands

• Kingstanding Regeneration Trust (KRT) supports young people aged 16 to 25, not in education, employment or training, to achieve entry level qualifications, work experience and employability skills. It uses a person-centred approach so a young person can take control of their own lives and break free from the cycle of worklessness.
• Murray Hall Community Trust is a community anchor organisation operating across the West Midlands with a diverse portfolio of providing different support working children, families and adults with the aim to promote health and wellbeing for all.
• Shropshire Mental Health Support provides critical mental health support both day and night through direct access for the public, and through a crisis team.  The charity aims to support effectively at the time of need, creating resilience in the community. Prevention is championed by reducing stigma in our mobile van.
• Solihull Moors Foundation has been delivering support to the community for five years. Its purpose is to support those who are disadvantaged in the local community, helping them to take part in physical and social activity, gain skills, confidence, and to improve their physical health and emotional wellbeing.
• St Chad's Sanctuary is a place of welcome for asylum seekers and refugees. The welcome is extended through the provision of clothing, food, toiletries and English lessons, as well as by helping children obtain school places. It also offer signposting and host legal advice sessions.

Wales

• Ponthafren is a community-based organisation with an extensive reach providing a local, wraparound Mental Health and Wellbeing support service to those in need, on their recovery journey and preventative care for all.
• RAY Ceredigion provides a community hub in the rural county of Ceredigion in West Wales. It provides through age activities, from babies through to those with dementia, that benefit the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged within the county community.
• Swansea Community Farm is a volunteer led charity. The only city farm in Wales, it has a range of farm animals, allotments and wildlife areas. The Farm exists to improve wellbeing, teach skills & create a sense of belonging, alongside producing local food and caring for nature and the environment.
• Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) has been providing support for sanctuary seekers and refugees to build new futures in Wales through specialist advice, support, and advocacy services. It is recognised and trusted by its clients, receiving a large number of referrals by word of mouth.